案件 (あんけん - anken)

 案件 (あんけん - anken) is a very common and versatile Japanese word, especially in business and project management contexts. It essentially refers to a matter, issue, case, project, or proposal that needs to be dealt with or is under consideration. The specific nuance can vary depending on the context.

Here's a breakdown of how to use 案件 effectively:

1. Referring to a Business Deal or Project:

This is a very frequent use. 案件 often signifies a specific business opportunity, client engagement, or project with defined goals.

• 新規案件 (shinki anken): a new project, a new business opportunity.
• 大型案件 (oogata anken): a large-scale project, a significant deal.
• 重要案件 (juuyou anken): an important matter, a critical project.
• この案件は田中さんが担当しています (kono anken wa Tanaka-san ga tantou shite imasu): Mr. Tanaka is in charge of this project/matter.
• その案件の進捗状況はどうですか (sono anken no shinchoku joukyou wa dou desu ka): What is the progress on that project/matter?

2. Referring to a Topic or Issue Under Discussion or Consideration:

案件 can also refer to a specific item on an agenda, a problem that needs addressing, or a proposal being evaluated.

• 今日の会議の案件 (kyou no kaigi no anken): the agenda items for today's meeting.
• 検討案件 (kentou anken): a matter under consideration, an issue being reviewed.
• 未解決案件 (miketsukai anken): an unresolved issue, an outstanding matter.
• この案件について、皆さんの意見を聞かせてください (kono anken ni tsuite, minasan no iken o kikasete kudasai): Please let me hear everyone's opinions on this matter.

3. In Legal or Formal Contexts:

案件 can sometimes refer to a specific case or legal matter.

• 係争案件 (keisou anken): a pending lawsuit, a disputed case.

Key Points to Remember:

• Neutral but Often Business-Oriented: While not strictly limited to business, 案件 is very common in professional settings. It's generally a neutral term without strong positive or negative connotations on its own.
• Context is Crucial: The precise meaning of 案件 depends heavily on the surrounding words and the situation.
• Often Used with Modifiers: You'll frequently see 案件 used with adjectives (like 新規, 大型, 重要) to specify the type or significance of the matter.
• Can Refer to Tangible or Intangible Things: It can refer to a concrete project or a more abstract issue.

Examples in Conversation:

• 同僚A：「新しいWebサイトの案件、どうなってる？」(Dou僚A: "Atarashii Web-saito no anken, dou natteru?") (Colleague A: "How's that new website project coming along?")
• 同僚B：「ああ、それがいくつか問題があってね…」(Dou僚B: "Aa, sore ga ikutsuka mondai ga atte ne…") (Colleague B: "Ah, there are a few problems with it...")
• 上司：「今日の午後の会議の案件は３つあります。」(Joushi: "Kyou no gogo no kaigi no anken wa mittsu arimasu.") (Boss: "There are three items on the agenda for this afternoon's meeting.")

In short, 案件 is a fundamental word for discussing various matters, projects, and issues in Japanese, particularly in professional environments. Pay attention to the context to understand its specific meaning in each situation.

Do you have a specific scenario in mind where you're unsure if 案件 is the right word? Providing an example would help me give you more tailored advice!